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V O L . X X X I N O. V I M A R C H 2 4 , 2 0 2 5 30 e accredited, three-year cur- riculum focuses on "My Values, My Voice, and My Vision" and helps young women acquire leadership skills through mentorship. With more women repre- sented across industries and pathways, the next generation will have net- works to guide them along the way. When our girls thrive, our state and our workforce thrive, too. MB: Who are some of the advisors who mentor the young women in the institute's program? OS: e institute's mentors are the heart of the organization. At any given time, we have 220 volun- teer advisors leading [Olympia's Leaders] through the three-year program. We have built a statewide network, and these women hail from every county, and represent Maine's diverse business landscape, from banks and small businesses, multinationals and nonprofits, education and the environment to hospitals, hospitality, retailers and manufacturers. MB: As the institute heads into its second decade, what are your aspirations for the organization? OS: First and foremost, the board of directors and I want to ensure the sustainability of the institute by growing our endowment. It is clear that the program is needed, has a positive impact, and that our girls deserve all the support we can offer. Looking ahead, I see us serving more girls in our existing partner high schools — ultimately gradu- ating more than 220 Olympia's Leaders each year — and offering professional development pro- grams for what will be more than 2,000 alums in five years and more than 3,000 in 10 years, a significant number of whom will be working here in Maine, hopefully in our partner companies. Tina Fischer, Mainebiz staff writer, can be reached at tfischer @ mainebiz.biz 207-873-2200 129 Silver St, Waterville, ME www.goldenpondwealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC Congratulations to all of the Business Leaders of the Year "We make a living by what we get... we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill » C O N T I N U E D F RO M PA G E 2 8 P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F O LY M P I A S N OW E Olympia Snowe with the inaugural class of girls from Auburn's Edward Little High School, her alma mater. AWARD